Railway spreader car



Filed Nov. 5,1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fm 6W JMU@ July 2l, 1925.

. 1,547,018 R. E. BREssLER K Y RAILWAY SPREADER CAR Filed NOV 5,. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Tutor,

July 2l, 1925.

R. E. BRESSLER .RAILWAY SPREADER CAR Filed Nov. 5, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 54 R. E, BREssLER 7'018 Filed Nov. s, 1920 4 sheets-sheet' 4 July 21, 1925.

RAILWAY SPREADER GAR Cil Patented .July 21, 1925.

ATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. BRESSLER, OF AURORA, ILLLNOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO WESTERN WHEELED SCRAPER GOMEANY, 01? AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAILWAY srnnnnnn GAR.

Application nled November 5, 1920. Serial No. 421,845.

To all whom t mary concern:

Be it known that l, ROBERT E. BRnssLnn, a citizen of the lUnited States, and a resident of Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful linprovements in Railway Spreader Cars, of which the following is a specilication', reference being had to he ac- :ompanying drawings.

My invention relates to railway cars used for grading and road maintenance work, and has particularly to do with cars provided with means for spreading or grading earth along the right of way. Such cars usually comprise wings mounted at one or both sides of the car and connected at one end. with the car by pivotal connections arranged to permit the wing either to be extended at a greater or less angle with the car while occupying a horizontal or approximately a horizontal position, or to be raised and swung back substantially parallel with the siees of the car when not in use. These wings are necessarily made strong and heavy in order to withstand the heavy strains to which they are subjected when in use, and are provided with braces which hold thein firmly in operative position and at the saine time are so constructed that they do not interfere with the raising and :folding back of the wings when that operation is to be performedl The pivotal connections about which the wings swing are also usually arranged to be vertically adjustable so that the height of the inner end of the wings may be regulated to suit varying conditions.

My present invention has to do with cars of this general type and has for its object to simplify and improve the construction and operation of such cars so that the several operations required may be performed expeditiously and accurately with the least possible manual labor. rlhe several improvements by which l accomplish this object will clearly appear from the following description of the embodiment thereof illustrated in the. accompanying drawings. -JWhat l regard as my invention is particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the greater part of a spreader ear illustrating my improven'ients, the wing being shown in its `inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a car equipped with two wings, one wing being shown in operative and the other in inoperative position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, being a partial horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l is an enlarged detail, being substantially a vertical cross-section on line 1 4 of Fig. 2, illustrating the mechanism for raising and lowering the pivotal support of the wing;

Fig. 5 is a partial horizontal section on line 5--5 of Fig. d, showing the mechanism for locking such pivotal support in its different positions of adjustment;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the locking bolts shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the cam levers required for actuating the bolts shovn in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side View of one of thebraces used to hold the wing or wings in operative position;

F ig. 9 is al longitudinal section on line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-section on line 10-10 of Fig. 8; and Y Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line 11--11 of Fig. 8.

ln using cars of this description for spreading earth or other materials the car is run in such direction that the inner or pivoted ends of the wings are toward the front end of the car, and the wings are arranged to extend backward and outward at a greater or less angle, usually of from thirty to forty-live degrees. Also the wings may be set in an approximately horizontal position or they may incline either upward or downward, depending upon the nature of the worlr to be performed.

Referring now to the drawings for a description of the embodiment of my invention therein illustrated, 12 indicates a car which is provided with the usual trucks 13, and is very much like an ordinary flat car in general construction. As shown in Fig. 1, the car is provided with a truss-like frame 1a at each side thereof, which extends downwardly and is suitably bracedA so as to be capable of resisting the strains to which it is subjected. This bracing is usually accomplished by providing transverse truss-braces 15, shown in Fig. a, connected with the underbody of the car, and also horizontal braces 16 which ext-end across the car and connect together the frames 14 at the opposite sides ot' the car. 17 indicates the platform or deck of the car and 18 the side sills, as shown in Fig. L1.

Near the forward end ot the car and at opposite sides thereof are pairs of upright members in the form of angle bars 19, 20, the angle bars ot each pair being disposed oppositely with reference to cach other, and spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 3, to form guides between which are mounted vertically moving pivot supporting` blocks 21. The side edges of these blocks lit nicely between channel bars 19a, 202l secured t0 the opposite parallel flanges of the members 19, 20 so that said blocks may slide vertically treely, and they are held against lateral displacement by side plates 21fL secured to said. blocks and overlapping the said channel bars, as shown in Fig. 3. The members 19, 2O are strongly braced to the side sills and frame 141 or' the car, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1. Fach of the blocks 21 is provided with a bracket 22 which is iXedly secured to its outer tace near its lower end, and is equipped with two anti-friction rollers 23, 24, as shown in Fig. The roller 23 is mounted upon a pivot 25 which projects parallel with the transversely disposed liange of the member 19 so that the roller 23 runs on the outer tace of said flange, whereas the roller 21 is mounted upon a pivot 26 disposed at right angles to the pivot 25. Theroller 24 runs upon a rail 2T lixedly secured to the transverse flange of the member 2O and disposed at right angles thereto.

block 21 in its proper position and steady it as it operates.

28 indicates a locking plate secured to the outer face of the pivot-carrying block 21, preferably near the upper end thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, said plate extending across the outer edges of the flanges of the members 19, 20, as shown in Fig. 5. rFhe proj ecting edges of said plate are provided with a series of perforations 29 adapted to receive bolts to lock the block 21 in its different positions as will presently be described. llcerring now to Figs. l and 5,-30 indicates beveled latch bolts mounted in the longitudinally-disposed flanges ot the members 19, 2O and in angle plates 31 secured to the transversely-disposed flanges thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. These bolts are adapted to enter the pertorations 29 ot the locking plate 28, as shown in said ligure, anc are norn'ially projected into operative position by springs 32 mounted upon said bolts. The beveled portions of the bolts 3() are at their under sides, and obviously when said bolts are in engagement with the plate 2S the pivot supporting block 21 is held against downward movement, but is 'freeto move Thesev two rollers, therefore, serve to hold the pivot carrying.

upward owing to the beveled edges of said bolts. While l prefer to provide two ot the bolts 30, that is not essential. 33 indicates hand levers pivotally connected with the inner ends ot the bolts and bearing against the longitudinally-eXtending flanges otl the members 19, 20. Said levers are connected together by an operating rod 341 so that they may be operated in unison. 1t will be apparent that when the bolts 30 are in operative position, as shown in Fig. 5, by moving the operating rod 34 to the lett as viewed in said ligure the cam portions 35 of said levers will operate to withdraw the bolts from the plate 28, thereby leaving the block 21 tree to move downward. is provided with a handle 36 which is located at some point within convenient reach ot an operator on the car. The block 21 is moved vertically as occasion may require by luid pressure operated mechanism, preterably a compressed air operated piston contained in a cylinder 37 and connected by a piston rod 38 with a lug 39 secured to the inner tace o'l the block 21, as shown in Fig. 4:.

The block 21 is provided near its upper end with a bracket 40, as shown in al, which is similar t0 the bracket 22, and is also provided with a pair ot anti-iwiction rollers similar to the anti-friction rollers 23, 2-1. rllhese rollers, which are indirated by 41, 42, (see Fig. 2), are, however, oppositely arranged as regards the rollers 23, 21, the roller L1-1 running on the longitudinally-disposed tlange 0f the member 19, while the roller l2 runs on the transversely-disposed liange oi" the member 20. These rollers, therefore, cooperate with the. rollers 23, 2li to hold the block 21 in place and prevent it from binding.

13 indicates the spreader wings, one o1 which is preferably provided at each side of the car, although it desired only one wing with the parts cooperating` therewith need be provided. is shown in Fig. il, the wing 13 is connected by a horizontally-disposed pivot 111 vith a bracket 415 which is pivotally connected by a vertically-disposed pivot 416 with the bracket 22, the bracket l5 thus forming one leal ot a hinge by which the wing is connected with the block 21 in such manner that it is permitted to swing about a vertical aXis. lit the saine time the pivot 141 permits the wingto swing` vertically about a horizontal axis. These two pivots, therefore, cooperate to form a substantially universal joint or connection bctween the wing and the pivot block 2. Consequently the wing may be swung to a ny desired horizontal or vertical angle relatively to the car.

rlhe wing is braced to resist horizontal thrust by a series of braces 1-7, 18, 19 and 50, the number of which may be varied, al-

The operating rod CII lllv

israele though l prefer to use 'four braces as illustrated in Fig. l, and it is braced to resist upward thrust by what 'for convenience will be termed a diagonal brace 5l. ylhe construction ot the several braces 48, 49, and 5l is the same, although their dimensions are in some respects diiferent, and the brace 47 is similar to the others except that it is provided with means for projecting` the wing into operative position, as will hereinafter described. All these braces are telescopic in construction and are connected at one end with a permanent or fixed part oit the car, and at the other with the wing. From an inspection ot' Fig. l it will be seen that the outer members of said braces 47, 48, 49 and 50 are each loosely pivoted to the trame 14, as shown at 52, 53, 54 and 55, so that they may swing approximately vertically, the inner or extensible members ot said braces being pivotally connected with the wing at diilerent points in its length, as shown at 5G, 57, 58 and 59, in Fig. 2. 'lhe outer member o1c the brace 51 is connected by a horizontal pivot with a bracket 6l which is in turn connected by a vertical pivot 62 with the bracket 40. rlhus the brace 5l is adapted to swing vertically about the pivot 60 and also horizontally about the pivot 62, the two pivots Atorming substantially a universal connection between said brace and the block 2l. lhe inner member or the brace 5l is connected with the outer portion of the wing at or near its upper margin by a horizontal pivot 63. By this construction the diagonal brace 5l automatically accommodates itself to the position of the wing 43 when the latter is moved into or out ot operative position. As will be understood by those familiar with devices oi this character, when the wing` is in its inoperative position shown in Fig. l, the several braced 47, 48, 49 and 50 will be in an approximately upright position and the wing will be substantially parallel with the side oi" the car and will extend backward and upward, as shown in said figure. llVhen, however, the wing is lowered, owing` to the ditlierent lengths ot said braces it will be swung outward to an approximately horizontal position and will be disposed diagonally with reference to the car bodyD At the same time the diagonal brace 5l will swing downward and outward to accommodate the new position of the wing.

rlhe purpose ot making the braces 47, 48, 49 and 50 extensible is to provide for varying the angular position ot the wing, and it is obvious that it is necessary to provide means lor holding the members ot each b'ace in lined relation to each other alter they have been adjusted to the desired length. lt is also apparent that the meinbers of the brace 5l must be secured in fixed relation to each other in order that such brace may properly perform its function oit Vholding the wing down in operative positie-n.

ated mechanism within convenient reach ot' an operator on the car. inasmuch as the construction ot all these braces is substantially the same a description of one will sutlice tor all, except as to certain special mechanism applied to one or said braces, as the brace 47.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to ll, it will be seen that the main or lined portion ot the brace is a box-like structure termed ot oppositely-disposed channel bars 64, 65 connected by plates 66, 67. This structure is provided at one end with a braclret (58 which closes that end and also forms a hinge meinber to receive a pivot- 69 by which the brace is connected with a bracket 70 attached to a permanent part ot the car, as indicated at the points 52, 53, 54 and 55. ln the case of the brace 5l the part 7 O corresponds with the bracket 6l. rlhe brace member is open at the opposite end to receive the extensible l member 7l, which is preferably in the torni ot an l-bea1n, as shown in Fig. cl. ln Figs. lO and ll, 72 indicates the web ol the lbeain and 73 the flanges thereof. 'lhe ei;- tensible member 7l is adapted to lit in the mainbrace member and to slide freely therein when not locked, and to this end is provided with preferably two pairs o' anti friction rollers 74, 7 5. rlhese pairs of rollers are located at diiierent points in the lengthot the extensible member 7l and are adapted to bear respectively on the plates GG, 67, portions o'r the flanges 7 3 being cut away for that purpose, as shown in Figs, l0 and ll, so that they cooperate to support the extensible member and hold it in proper position to`operatc smoothly. rlhe rollers re mounted on pins 76, 77 iitted in the web 72 of the member 7l, as shown in said :ligures. At its outer end the extensible inember 7l carries a bracket 78 by which it is pivotally connected to the wing, as shown at the points 55, 57, 58, 59 and 53 in Figs. l and For locking the extensible member in its diiiercnt positions of adjustment, it is provided with a row of perforations 79 in the web 72, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which peritorations are adapted to be brought into registration with alined per- Alfointions in the channel bars 64, 65, as best shown in 9 and ll. By this arrangement a bolt 80 may be passed through the peritorations inthe bars 64, 65 and one of mi Uri the pertorations 7 9, therel'iy securely locki the eXtensible member in position, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 11. Preferably thc channel bars 64e, are provided with reinforcing bloels 81 around the pert'orations therein to obtain greater strength.a The outer end ot the bolt is fitted to slide in clip S2 which is secured to the channel bar (-l, as shown in TEig. 11, and serves to hold the bolt in proper alinement with the holes in the channel bars in which it operates. For actuating the bolt l provide a triangular' lever S?) tulcrumed upon a pivot which passes through one arm thereoit and is supported by a bracket S5 mounted on the channel bar (Sei a short distance back ot the clip 82, as shown in 9. rl`he lever 83 'is connected at one side oit the tulcrum S by a link S0 and pivot S7 with a plunger 8S.. which operates in a cylinder S9. This cylinder is mounted upon the channel bar (if-1- in any suitable way and is adapted to receive compressed air or other operating` fluid tl rough pipe connected with any suitable source ot supply, such as a compressed air reservoir 91, shown in Fig. 1. fr spring 92 is mounted in the cylinder 89 around the plunger 8S, and acts in opposition to the Compressed air admitted to said cylinder. It will be seen that normally the plunger will occupy the position shown in Fig. 9 under the action ot' the spring 92. but when air is admitted to said cylinder' said plunger will be moved to the right` as viewed in said figure, thereby compressing said spring. As soon as the air pressure is exhausted the spring will operate to restore the plunger to the position shown. The plunger 88, therefore, acts to rock the lever 83 about its pivot Sa-, and this motion is transmitted to the locking pin 80 by providing said lever wit-h an arm which enters a slot 911 in said pin, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. By this construction, when the plunger 88 is forced to the right the rocking ot the lever S3 will move the locking pin 80 upward as viewed in Fig. 9, thereby moving it out of engagement with the extensible member 71 of the brace. 'Vhen the air pressure is relieved the spring 92 will move the locking` pin 80 inward so that it will again lock the extensible member 71 in lined relation to the main member ot the brace.

rlhe brace 17 differs from the others only7 in that it is provided with a cylinder 95 mounted upon it and which operates a piston having a piston rod 90 whichv is pivotally conne fted with the outer end oit the wing;l 43, as shown in Fig. 2. This cylinder is connected by a pipe 97 with the coinpressed air reservoir 91, or other suitable source ot fluid pressure supply.

The wing 43 is raised and swung inward out of operative position by fluid pressure operated mecl'iauism comprising a cylinder 954. mounted on the car and containinfj a piston hai/'ingr a piston rod 99 which carries a sheave 100, as shown in Fig. 1. 101 indicates a chain or cable, one end ot which is tixcdly connected to a permanent part ot the ear, as an upright 102, and after passing around the sheavc passes around another sheave 102rl mounted near the deck of the car and over a sheave 103 suspended from a cross-bar 10st connected to the upright 102 and to an upright 105 near the front of the car. rlhe opposite end oi" the cable 101 is connected at 10G to the wing 43. Fig. 1 shows the piston rod 99 in its retracted position. which is the one it occupies when the wing is in inoperative'position, and it is evident that when the pressure in the cylinder 98 is permitted to eX- haust the piston rod 99 moves to the rigl'it from the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby paying or-.t the cable 101 and permitting the wing to descend, To close the wing from its Fully extended position, at which time the piston will be near the right hand end of the cylinder 98, compressed air is admitted to the forward end of said cylinder thereby moving the piston in the opposite direction and taking up the cable 101 so that the wing` is raised and at the saine time swung inwardly under the action of the several braces. it it be desired to move the wing about its vertical pivot toward the car, from its ilfully extended toward its least extended position, this may be done by unlocking braces 47, 41S, 19 and 50, leaving diagonal brace 51 locked. The admission ot air to the forward end of cylinder' 9S will then swing the wing inwardly on its vertical pivot. This may also be accomplished by admitting air to the outer end portion ot the cylinder through suitable connections.

107 indicates a pipe leading from the compressed air reservoir 91 and connected through valves 10S, 109, 110, 111, 112 with the several compressed air operated devices hereinbetore described. /Vhere the car is provided with wings at both sides a set of these valves is provided for each wing` and the operatingdevices associated therewith.

The operation o'f the car will no doubt be understood from the foregoing description, but it may be conveniently summarized as follows: Assuming that the wing 43 is in its inoperative position shown in Fig. 1. when it is desired to lower it into operative position the valve 112, which controls the admission ot compressed air to the cylinder 89 of the diagonal brace 51, is opened, thereby admitting compressed air to said cylinder and releasing the extensible meinber 71 of said brace. The valve 108 being first closed to cut olip pressure from the cylinder 98, the Wing L13 will swing downward and lll its outward movement resulting` from the action of the several braces 47, 18, 41:9 and 50, the extensible members oli all of which may remain locked. 1t, however, it is desired to extend the wing at an angle greater than that to which it would be carried by the braces as previously set, the valve 109 is opened to admit air to the cylinder 95, which results in projecting the piston rod 96 thereof, thereby swingingthe rear end of the wing` outward to a greater distance. In order that this may be accomplished, however, it is necessary to unlock the extensible members ot the several braces 4t?, 4:8, 49, and 50, which may be dene by opening` the valve 110. rlhis admits compressed air to all the` cylinders 89 of the several horizontal braces since, as shown in Fig'. 1 all such. cylinders take air from the saine pipe 113. When the wing has been extended to the desired position the valves 109, 110 and 112 are closed, whereupon the extensible members of the several braces are automatically locked in position. Since the lengt-h et the diagonal brace 51 must be reduced to permit the wing,` 43 to be moved out oi" operative` position, when it is desired to raise the wing the valve 112 must be opened to again unlock the extensible meinber et said brace, but the extensible mem bers of the other braces need not be unlocked except when it is desired to change the horizontal anale oiI the wing. The manner in which the wing may be swung 1nwardly about its vertical pivot has already been'ez-plained. lt it be desired to raise the pivot of the wing,` the valve 111 is opened to admit air to the cylinder 3'?, whereupon its piston red 38 will litt the bloclr 21 which carries said pivot, and ordinarily it 1s preferable to admit air to said cylinder it the pivot ot the wing is te be lowered in order to take the weight oft' the bolts 30 so that they can be easily released, after which the valve 111 can be closed and the block 21 be permitted to descend by gravity. During the latter operation the block and the load sustained by it will be cushioned by the slowly escaping air contained in the said cylinder. By using the latch bolts 30 the bloclr 21 is permitted to rise in emergencies to avoid breakage.

It will be noted that by the construction described all the operations necessary for full control et the wing may be performed by a single operator on the car so that the apparatus can be used very economically. Also, the fact that the mechanical operation of the locking devices Tier the several hori- Zontal braces is controlled by a single valve contributes largely `to this desirable result and is an important feature of my invention, as is also the use oit extensible braces which are at all times connected with the ctr Vand the wing, thereby overcoming the new outward by gravity,

eessity of using manually-operated coupling devices. In this connection it should be understood that while l have shown the locking; devices as moved into operative position by springs and released by iiuid pressure operated devices the reverse arrangement might well be used as an equivalent construction. Another important feature of my invention is the provision of power operated devices for adjusting` the braces which resist the horizontal thrust of the wing, and more specifically the mounting` oit' a fluid pressure operated cylinder on one or more of the braces to effect this result, as this gives direc-t action on the braces and secures more ecient operation.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith toi swing' laterally, a brace comprising a plurality of extensible members, said brace being pivotally connected with' the car and with said wing, and means operable from the car for increasing the effective length of said brace to increase the angle of divergence of the wing; with the car.

2. A. machine off the class described, cornp'rising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing; laterally, a brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, said brace comprising a plurality of longitudinally extensible members, means operable from the car tor positively extending the length of said brace to increase the angle off divergence of the wing with the car, and mea-ns for locking' the members oi2 the brace in their diiferent positions et adjustment.

3. A machine ot the class described, ccmprisingV a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swine; laterally, an extensible brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wine', said brace comprising a. plurality oft members.. means: operable from the rar 'tor increasing the eective length ot said brace to increase the angle of divergence et' the wing with the car, means for locking the members of the brace in their different positions ot adjustment, and means operable from the car for controlling` said locking` means.

4f. A machine of the class described, comf prising;r a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally` an extensible grace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, said brace comprising a plurality of members, means operable from the car for positively extending,r said braceto increase the angle of divergence of the wing with the car` means for locking the members of the brace in their different positions ot adjustment, and means operable from the car for releasine: the members off the brace to permit adjustment thereofP llO 5. A machine ot' the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing` vertically and laterally, a plurality of extensible braces each comprising a. plurality of members, said braces being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing' for holding` the wing' in operative position, and means operable troni the car for extending the lengjth ot said braces to increase the angle ot divergence of the wing with the car.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing vertically and laterally, a plurality of extensible braces pivotally connected with the car and with said wing` for holding the wing' in operative position, each of said braces comprising' a plurality ot members, means opera-ble from the car for extending' the length ot said braces to increase the angle ot divergence ot the wing' with the car. and locking` devices carried by said braces tor loc-king' the members thereotl in their diiierent positions or" adjustment.

7. A machine ot the class described` comprising a car, a wing' pivotally connected therewith to swing' vertically and laterally, a plurality of extensible braces pivotally connected with the car and with said wing for holdingthe wing' in operative position, means operable from thel car tor extendingv said braces to increase the angle et divergence of the wing with the car, locking devices carried by said braces for locking the members thereof in their dii-ferent positions of adjustment, and means operable from the car rfor releasing` said locking` devices.

S. A machine otv the class described, comprisingl a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing` laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces pivotally connected with the car and with said wing', each of said braces comprising a plurality ot members, means mounted on one ot said braces and operable from the car tor extending the length of said braces to increase the angle of divergence ot the wing of the car, and means for locking' the members ot said braces in their different positions ot adj ustment.

9. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing' pivotally connected therewith to swino laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, each of said braces comprising a plurality of members, means mounted on one of said braces and operable trom the car for extending' said braces to increase the angle of divergence of the wing with the car, means for locking' the members ot said braces in their different positions ot adjustment, and means operable from the car for controlling` said locking means.

l0. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing' pivotally connected therewith to swinglaterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces pivotally connected with the :ar and with said wing, each of said braces comprising a plurality oi inembers, means mounted on one of said braces and operable from the car tor extending' said braces to increase the angle of divergence ot the wing` with the car, means for locking the members ot said braces in their different positions ot adjustment, and Huid pressure operated mechanism operable from the car for controlling said locking' means.

ll. A machine ot the class described, comprising a car, a wingy pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces pivotally connected with the car and with said wing', each of said braces comprising` a plurality ot members, means mounted on one of said braces and operable from the car tor extending said braces to increase the angle ot divergence otl the wing with the car, means for locking' the members ot said braces in their different positions ot adjustment, and fluid pressure operated devices mounted on said braces and operable. from the car for controlling said lockingdevices.

l2. A machine ot the class described, comprisinga car, a wing' pivotally connected therewith to swing' laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces pivotally connected with the cai; and with said wing, each of said braces comprising` a plurality of members, means mounted on one ot said braces and operable trom the car for extending' said braces to increase the angle of divergence ot the wing` with the car, means tor locking the members of said braces in their different positions ot adjustment, iiuid pressure operated devices mounted on said braces for controlling the locking devices of the several braces, and a single valve mounted on the car for controlling' said fiui'd pressure operated devices.

13. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing` pivotally connected therewith to swing' vertically and laterally, an extensible lateral brace pivotally connected with said car and with said wing, said brace comprising a plurality ot members, means operable from the car for positively extending` said brace to increase the angle of divergence ot the wing` with the car, means for locking the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, an extensible diagon al brace pivotally connected with the car and with the wing, said diagonal brace also comprising a plurality of members. and means t'or locking the members ot said diagonal brace in their diii'erent positions of adjustment.

lll. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing,` pivotally connected therewith t0 swing vertically and laterally,

lill) Till an extensible lateral brace pivotally connect ed with said car and with said Wing, said brace comprising,` plurality ci members, means operable trom the car for positively extending;` said brace to increase the angle ot divergence ot the Wine` With the car. means tor loclrinfj the members ot said brace in their ditlerent posit-ions et adjustment, an extensible diagonal brace pivotally connecte ed With the car and with the Win53,', said diagonal brace also comjiifisin52,u a plurality of members, means tor locking` the members of said diaeonal brace in their ditterentpositions ot adjustment, and means operable from the car 'tor controlling the locking` devices l: said braces.

l A, machine of the class described, comprising); a car, a Wing; pivotally connected therewith to svi/Q D verticallyand laterally, an extensible lateral brace pivotally connect` ed with said car and with said Win93,', said brace comprising` a plurality ot members, means mounted on said brace and operable 'from the car tor positively extendingsaid brace to increase the angle of divergence ot the wing With the car, means tor locking,T the members of said brace in their dit- -ferent positions ont adjustment, an extensible diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and With; the Wine', said diagonal brace also comprising a plurality of members, and means tor locking; the members ot said diagonal brace in their different positions ot adjustment.

16. A. machine ot the described, comprising` a car, Wing pivotally connected therewith to swing; vertically and laterally, an extensible lateral brace pivotally connected ,iith said car and with said Winn', said bruce comprising; a plurality of men'ibers, means mounted on said brace and operable from tbe car tor YLiositively e2;- tcndine' said brace to increase the angle ot divergence et the wing); with the car, means tor locking;` the inen'ibers ot said brace in their diiii'erent positions oi. adjustment, an extensible diabonal brace pirotally connected with the car and with the Wing, said d'agonal brace also comprising plurality ol" men'lbers, means for locking` the members ot said diagonal brace in their ditlerent positions ot adjustment, and means operable from the car tor controllingV the locking devices ot said braces.

1i". A. machine ot the class described, con'iprising a car, a Wing pivotally connected therewith to swing); laterally, an eX- tensible brace comprising, a plurality ot members adjustable relatively to each other to vary the effective length ot the brace, one ot said members being` pivotally connected with the car and another or" said members being.;` pivotally connected with the ving, neans for locking the members ot said brace in their different positions ot acjnstment, and means operable from the car 'for controlling),` said locking means.

machine of? the class described, lpricing a car., a Wing` pivotally conn l tllerevrii'h to sii/'ing laterally and veran extensible diagonal brace pivotconnected with the car and with said n', seid brace comprising' a pluralitj7 ot bers, locking; means for holding the members ot said brace in their ditl'erent positions of adjustment, and tluid pressure operated mech ism for controlling the operation ot said locking; means.

l). It machine ot the class described, comprising; a car, a Wing pivotally connec ed theroufth to swing; laterally, a brace comprising a j aluralitj7 ot members longitudinally adjustable relative to each other to vary the eilectire length ot the brace, one et the members ot the brace being pivotally connected with the car and another member being pivotally connected with said Wine', means t'or locking the members of tl'ie brace in their different positions ot adjus'stment, and liuicl-pressure-operated nicchanism for releasing,1 said locking mechanism.

2 i machine of the class described, compi sing` a car, a Wing pivotally con ncctcd therewith to swing laterally and vertit a brace confiprising a plurality ot r ers longitudinally adjustable relative to each other to vary the ellecfive length ot 'tbe brace, one ot the members ot the brace being pivotally connected with the car and another member being pivotally connected with said Wing, means for locking the members ot the brace in their different positions ot adjustment, and fluid-pressureoperated mechanism tor releasing said locking mechanism.

2l. A, extensible brace for spreader cars coinprisine` a box-shaped main member, an e-:tensible member mounted to move teleli-:copically therein, said ostensible member' having anti-friction rollers arranged to bear on opposite inner iaces ot said main member, and means tor locking the menibers ot said brace in their diilerent positions oli adjustment.

A brace tor spreader cars comprising` a box-like main member composed ot oppositely-disposed channel bars and side plates connecingl said channel bars, an extensible member mounted to move telescopically in said main member, anti-friction rollers arranged to bear on opposite sides ot said main member, and means :tor locking the members of said brace in their dii'lierent positions of adjustment.

29. A brace ttor spreader cars comprising` a main member and an ertensible member arranged to move longitudinally thereof, a lockingl pin mounted on said main member and adapted to engage said extensible member tor locking members in their different positions of adjustment, a fluid pressure operated piston mounted on said main member, and means actuated by said piston for actuating said pin.

2l. A brace 'for sareader cars comprising a ma Ai member ant an xtensible member arranged to move longitudinally thereof, a locking pin mounted on said main member and adapted to engage said extensible member for locking said members in their ditferent positions of adjustment, a fluid pressure operated piston mounted on said main member, and a lever mounted on said main member and connected with said pin and with said piston whereby the movement oit said piston controls the position of said pin.

25. A brace tor spreader cars comprising a main member and an extensible member arranged to nieve longitudinally thereof, a pin mounted on said main member and adapted to engage said extensible member to lock said members in their diil'erent posi tions of adjustment, a piston mounted on said main member and adapted to be actuated in one direction by fluid pressure, a spring for moving said piston in the opposite direction, and means operativelyT connecting said piston with said bolt whereby the position of said pin is controlled by the movement of said piston.

Q5. A brace for spreader cars comprising a main member, an extensible member movable longitudinally with relation thereto, a cylinder mounted on said main member', a piston in said cylinder, and an inflexible connection between said piston and said extensible member whereby said extensible member may be projected by the admission of fluid pressure to said cylinder.

27. A brace for spreader cars comprising a main member, an extensible member movable longitudinally with relation thereto, a cylinder mounted on said main member, a piston in said cylinder, an inflexible connection between said piston and said extensible member whereby said extensible member may be projected by the admission ot fluid pressure to said cylinder, means mounted ou said main member for locking said members in their different positions ot adjustment, and fluid pressure operated devices mounted on said main member for controlling the operation of said locking means.

28. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, spaced upright guides disposed at one side of the car, a hinge supporting block mounted to move vertically between said guides, anti-friction rollers carried by said block and disposed angularly with reference to each other and bearing on said guides respectively, a hinge member carried by said block, a wing connected with said hinge member, and means for adjusting the position of said winO.

29. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, spaced upright guides disposed at one side of the car, a hinge supporting block mounted to move vertically between said guides, anti-'friction rollers carried by said block and disposed angular-ly with reference to each other and bearing on said guides respectively, a hinge member carried by said block, a wing connected with said hinge member, means for adjusting the position of said wing, and means for raising said block o vary the height of said hinge member.

30. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, spaced upright guides disposed at one side of the car, a hinge supporting block mounted to move vertically between said guides, anti-friction rollers carried by said block and disposed angularly with reference to each other and bearing` on said guides respectively, a hinge member carried by said block, a wing connected with said hinge member, means for adjusting the position of said wing, means for raising said block to vary the height ot said hinge member, and means for lockingl said lock against downward movement from its different positions of adjustment.

3l. A n'rachine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, a plurality ot lateral braces each comprising a plurality of members, pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, said braces being adjustable to vary their effective length, means for locking the members of said braces in their different positions of adjustment, and means operable from the car for simultaneously releasing the locking means of the several braces.

32. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces each comprising` a plurality of members, pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for locking the members of said braces in their different positions of adjustment, fluid pressure operated devices for releasing the locking means oit the several braces, and a single valve mounted on the car for controlling the locking of the several braces.

33. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, a plurality of extensible lateral braces each comprisinga plurality of members, pivotally connected with the :ar and with said wing, means for locking the members of said braces in their different positions of adjustment, fluid pressure operated devices mounted on sai',` braces for controlling the operation of said locking devices, and a single valve mounted on the car for controlling the operation ot said fluid pressure operated devices.

34. A machine of the class described, comlui:

lli'

prising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, a plurality o'l' extensible lateral braces each comprising a plurality of members, pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for locking the members of said braces in their dilierent positions of adjustment, fluid pressure operated devices mounted on said braces for controlling the operation of said locking devices, a single valve mounted on the car for controlling the operation of said fluid pressure operated devices, and means operable from the car for extending said braces to increase the angle of divergence of the wing with the car.

35. A machine of the class described comprising a car, la wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, an extensible brace comprising a plurality of members, said brace being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for lock ing the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, and means mounted on the car-,for controlling said locking means.

36. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a lwing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, an extensible brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for locking the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, a diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means mounted on the car for controlling said locking means, and means for swinging said wing laterally about its pivot.

37. A machine of the class described, comprising a oar, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally, an extensible brace comprising a plurality of members, said brace being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means operable from the car for positively extending said brace to increase the angle of divergence of the wing with the car, means for locking the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, means operable from the car for controlling said locking means, a diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, and means mounted on the car for moving said wing laterally toward the car when said locking means is released.

38. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally and vertically,

-an extensible brace comprising a plurality.

of members, said brace being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means operable `from the car for locking the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, means mounted on the car for moving said wing laterally and vertically, and a diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing.

39. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally and vertically, an extensible brace comprising a plurality of members, said brace being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for locking the members of said brace in their different positions of adjustment, means mounted on the car for moving said wing laterally and vertically, an extensible diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, means for locking the members of said diagonal brace in their different positions of adjustment, and means operable from the car for controlling the latter locking means.

40. A machine of the class described, comprising a car, a wing pivotally connected therewith to swing laterally and vertically, an extensible brace comprising a plurality of members, said brace being pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, fluid pressure controlled means for locking the members of said brace in their dili'erent positions of adjustment, fluid pressure operated mechanism mounted on the car for moving said wing laterally and vertically, an extensible diagonal brace pivotally connected with the car and with said wing, fluid pressure controlled means for locking the members of said diagonal brace in their different positions of adjustment, and means mounted on the car for controlling the operation of the locking means of said braces.

ROBERT E. BRESSLER.

Certificate of Correction. It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,547,018, granted July 21, 1925,

upon the application oflobert E. Bressler, of Aurora, Illinois, for an improvement in Railway SpreaderCars, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 121, elaiml, for the Wprd grace read brace; page 8, line 91, claim 30,"for the Word lock "read bloc/0; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this, 1st day of September, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] KARL FENN ING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

